Stabilizer for lower artificial dentures



April 1953 w. w. STASCAVAGE 2,636,268

STABILIZER FOR LOWER ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed May 21. 1952 Walter n. Stascavage IN V EN TOR.

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 51 U I-Teo- STABILIZER FOR LOWER ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Walter W. Stascavage, Exeter, Pa.

Application May 21, 1952, Serial No. 289,086

This invention relates to artificial dentures, generally speaking, and has mor particular reference to either a complete or a partial lower denture which 'is of general horseshoe-shaped i Configuration in plan and channel-shaped in cross-section, and wherein th gum ofthe wearer is received and retained in the channel portion thereof. j

[More specifically, the invention'has to do with simple practical and economical means which may be aptly incorporated in the denture to cooperate with the latter in keeping the denture stable andfree from undesirable shiftable movements and the attending disadvantages and discomfort to the wearer.

Stated more explicitly, the denture is improved by incorporating novel means therein in a manner to afford the user greater stability and reliable retention, a characteristic not found in present day lower artificial dentures.

It is a matter of'common knowledge that there are places where the denture does not securely rest or fit upon accompanying portions of the gums. Where this occurs the denture moves about and in this looseness afiects not only chew- ."ing but the Jspeechand is of great discomfort to the wearer particularly. because food and other particles lodge underneath the denture when it becomes loose. The instant invention incorporates a novel arrangement of passages, orifices and air conduction tubes and adapter plates therefor which function efficiently and conjointly to remedy the defects and objections mentioned.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention one or more air conduction and venting tube are employed. These are embedded in the side branches or portions of the over-all denture and they have their end portions joined with adapter plates. The adapter plates are embedded in the bottom of the channel of the denture and said plates are provided with orifices to tak in air and to permit the air to be delivered and expelled by way of the tubes, the tubes being arranged in and lining passages in the denture. In addition, the denture has discharge passages and the tubes are provided with discharge orifices intermediate their ends which register with the passages.

It is also an object to improve upon and reduce the number of parts entering into the combination, thereby not only increasing the efficiency of the structure as a whole, but also rendering the same less costly to manufacture and to otherwise simplify factors of assembling and sale.

Then, too, it is a further objective to struc- 3 Claims. (01. 32-3) turally, functionally and otherwise improve upon similarly constructed and performing lower dentures and, in so doing, provide a structural arrangement in which dentists and patients will find their respective needs satisfactorily met.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of lower artificial denture constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the lin 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Figure 3 is a sectional and elevational view showing how the improved denture is supported for use in the users mouth and showing particularly how the cheek serves as a sort of a valve for the discharg vent or passage;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assemblage comprisingthe tubes and adapter plates; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing one of the auxiliary adapter plates.

:,j..In the drawings the artificial lower denture, which is substantially conventional in form and type is denoted by the numeral 6. This is of the usual horseshoe-shaped type and has the customary channel 8 therein to fit over the ridge and accompanying portions of the gum I 0 as shown best in Figure 3. The artificial teeth are denoted at I 2 and the check of the wearer is denoted at M. It might be possible within the purview of th invention to merely provide inlet and discharge orifices directly in the denture and to connect the same by communicating passageways. It is believed that greater stability and effectiveness is, however, had by utilizing the assemblage depicted in Figure 4. This comprises a main adapter plate 5 called the first plate, and a pair of auxiliary or end plates, also adapters, denoted by the numerals l8 and 2t and some times denoted as the second and third adapter plates. The end portions of the main plate are provided with air inlet or air intake openings which may be referred to as orifices 22 and 24 respectively. Similar orifices are provided centrally in the plates [8 and 2d and the latter orifices being more or less discharge orifices are denoted by the numerals 26 and 28 respectively. Communicating stainless steel tubes are denoted by the numerals 30 and 32 and these are substantially duplicate in form and have lateral end portions 34 which are respectively connected with the orifices provided therefor in the respective first, second and third plates it, It and 20 respectively. It remains to be described that the intermediate portions of the stainless steel tubes are provided with discharge openings or orifices 3B and 38 respectively. With the tubes and plates embedded and with the plates flush with the bottom of the channel the device appears as shown in full and dotted lines in the figures of the drawings. The main plate is at the center or bight portion of the channel in the denture. The tubes extend or diverge rearwardly therefrom and are arranged in the passages provided'therefor. in the end portions of the denture. The second and lower jaw and gives it stability. The pressure caused by the vacuum i not so great as will cause harm to the tissues of the gums and the denture plate will release upon being slightly lifted with the tongue or fingers.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size an arrangement of.details coming within the field of invention I claimed may be resorted to in actual practice,

third plates l8 and 20 are embedded in'the bettom of the channel in the side portions of the denture. In addition, said denture is provided with lateral discharge passages as at 40 with which the orifices 36 and '38 have communicative it stability. Artificial dentures of themselves are not Wholly adaptable to the lower jaw. There are places where the denture does not securely rest or fit upon the gums. Where this occurs the denture moves about and this looseness affects chewing and speech and causes discomfort to the wearer because food and other particles lodge underneath the denture when it is loose. This ill efiect cannot be overcome by a denture of ordinary or common construction. The described invention has for its purpose the overcoming of the motion of the lower denture, even where it fails to fit securely.

The operation of the stabilizer is described as follows: When the user puts the artificial denture in his mouth with the stainless steel tubes inserted on each side of the body of the denture plate, and the plate is pressed down upon the lower gums by the user, making contact between the upper teeth and the lower artificial teeth, the pressure caused by the plate pressing down upon the lower gums creates a vacuum when air in the stainless steel tubes is expelled. This causes the denture to cling firmly to the if'desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. For use in a denture, an adapter plate having an orifice, a tube having one end joined with said plate in communication with said orifice,

said. tube having an orifice between its ends.

2. In a structure as described, a conventionaltype artificial denture with a gum fitting chanwith the cooperating end orifices in said first plate and having their rear ends communicatively connected with the cooperating orifices in the respective second and third plates.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 wherein the intermediate portions of said tubes are provided with discharge orifices and the side portions of said denture are provided with venting passages in registry with said discharge orifices.

WALTER W. STASCAVAGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,887,970 Valbuena Nov. 15, 1932 Rubinstein Feb. 4, 1936 

